How criminal cases work in the UAE
Crimes in the UAE are defined mainly by Federal Decree-Law No. 31 of 2021, the Penal Code, and by specialist laws such as the drugs law, the cybercrime law and the commercial transactions law for cheque offences. The procedure is set by Federal Decree-Law No. 38 of 2022 on Criminal Procedure, which has applied since 1 March 2023.
Offences are classed as contraventions, misdemeanours or felonies, depending on the maximum penalty. The class decides which court hears the case, whether a lawyer is mandatory, and whether the case can be settled. Cases are heard in Arabic, and an interpreter is provided if you do not speak Arabic.
What our criminal defence team handles
- Police and prosecution complaints, and representation during questioning.
- Detention, bail and release applications, and lifting travel bans.
- Defence in misdemeanour and felony courts, the Court of Appeal and the Court of Cassation.
- Fraud, breach of trust, forgery and other financial crimes.
- Assault, threats, insult and defamation, including online offences under the cybercrime law.
- Drug cases, drink driving and traffic offences.
- Cheque-related crimes such as closing an account or stopping a cheque in bad faith.
- Filing criminal complaints for victims and claiming civil compensation.
The criminal process in Dubai, step by step
- Complaint or arrestA case starts with a police complaint or an arrest. Police take statements and gather initial evidence.
- Referral to the Public ProsecutionAn arrested person who is not released must be referred to the Public Prosecution within 48 hours, and the prosecution must question them within 24 hours.
- InvestigationThe prosecutor questions the accused, witnesses and experts, and decides on detention, bail or release. A travel ban and passport retention are common during investigation.
- Detention or bailThe prosecution can order detention for 7 days and renew it once for up to 14 days. After that, a judge can extend detention in periods of up to 30 days. Bail may be granted with a cash deposit, a passport or a guarantor.
- Decision of the prosecutionThe prosecution either closes the case, issues a criminal order with a fine for some minor offences, or refers the case to court.
- Trial at first instanceThe court hears the prosecution, the defence and any civil claimant, then delivers its judgment.
- AppealAn appeal to the Court of Appeal must be filed within 15 days of the judgment. A judgment issued in absentia for a misdemeanour can be opposed within 7 days of notification.
- CassationA cassation petition, on points of law, must be filed within 30 days of the appeal judgment.
Settlement, mediation and plea bargaining
The 2022 Criminal Procedure Law expanded ways to resolve cases without a full trial:
- Waiver and reconciliation: for many offences that depend on a victim's complaint, such as some assault, insult and breach of trust cases, a settlement with the victim can end the case.
- Penal mediation: for certain misdemeanours, mediation can last up to one month, extendable once by another month.
- Criminal settlement: some offences can be settled by paying an amount set by law, but not cases involving qisas, diya or crimes against juveniles.
- Plea agreements: the prosecution may offer a reduced penalty in exchange for an admission in eligible misdemeanours and felonies.
Whether any of these is in your interest depends on the evidence. We advise you on that before you sign anything or make any statement.
How long does a criminal case take in Dubai?
| Stage or case | Typical timeline |
|---|---|
| Police referral of an arrested person | Within 48 hours (legal limit) |
| Prosecution investigation | A few weeks to several months |
| Simple misdemeanour, or one closed by settlement | 2 to 8 weeks |
| Contested misdemeanour at first instance | 1 to 4 months |
| Felony at first instance | 3 to 12 months |
| Appeal | Filed within 15 days; usually decided in 1 to 4 months |
| Cassation | Filed within 30 days; usually decided in a few months |
These are typical estimates. Expert reports, such as forensic, medical or financial reports, and the number of defendants add time.
Possible penalties
Depending on the offence, penalties can include fines, imprisonment, confiscation and, for foreigners convicted of certain crimes, deportation. Courts can sometimes suspend a sentence or replace it with community service or alternative measures. A conviction can affect a residency visa and a good conduct certificate, so the long-term effect should be part of every defence strategy.
Criminal case costs
- Filing a complaint: there is no fee for filing a criminal complaint with the police.
- Bail: the amount is set by the prosecution or the court case by case. It may be a cash deposit, a passport deposit or a personal guarantee, and it is returned when the case ends if conditions are respected.
- Civil claims: a victim who claims compensation within the criminal case may pay court fees on the civil claim.
- Translation and experts: certified translations of foreign documents and any private expert reports are paid separately.
- Our legal fees: we quote after reviewing the file, usually by stage: investigation, first instance, appeal and cassation. Urgent detention and bail matters are handled immediately.
Your rights if you are arrested in Dubai
- You have the right to know why you are being held.
- You have the right to an interpreter if you do not speak Arabic. Do not sign a statement you do not understand.
- You have the right to a lawyer. In felonies punishable by death or life imprisonment, the court must appoint one if you do not have one.
- You can ask to contact your family and, if you are a foreign national, your embassy.
- You can challenge a detention extension ordered in your absence within 3 days.
Why choose Husain Al Ali Advocates
Our advocates appear before the Public Prosecution and the criminal courts in Dubai and across the UAE. We act fast in detention and travel ban cases, we examine every procedural step for errors, and we always weigh the effect of a case on your residency and record. We work in Arabic and English and keep every matter confidential.
If you or a family member has been arrested or summoned, call +971 4 451 0523 or message us on WhatsApp. Our office is at Office 411, Oud Metha Offices, Umm Hurair 2, Dubai.
This page is general information about UAE criminal law, not legal advice. Please speak to a lawyer about your own case.
Do not rely solely on the information available on the website; you should consult a lawyer to clarify many matters.
Frequently asked questions
How long can police hold someone in Dubai without charge?
An arrested person who is not released must be referred to the Public Prosecution within 48 hours. The prosecution must question them within 24 hours and then decide on release or detention.
How long can the prosecution keep someone in detention?
The prosecution can order detention for 7 days and renew it once for up to 14 days. Further extensions must be ordered by a judge, in periods of up to 30 days each.
Can I get bail in Dubai?
Yes, in many cases. The prosecution or the court decides, and bail is usually a cash deposit, a passport deposit or a guarantor. A lawyer can apply for release with supporting arguments.
What is the deadline to appeal a criminal judgment?
An appeal must be filed within 15 days of the first-instance judgment. A cassation petition must be filed within 30 days of the appeal judgment.
Can a criminal case be closed if the victim withdraws the complaint?
For offences that depend on a victim's complaint, such as some assault, insult and breach of trust cases, a waiver or settlement can end the case at any stage. For other offences the prosecution continues regardless.
Will I be deported if I am convicted?
Not always. Deportation depends on the offence and the court's judgment. A lawyer can argue against deportation where the law allows the court discretion.
Can I travel while a criminal case is open?
Often not. The prosecution or court can impose a travel ban and keep your passport. A lawyer can apply to lift the ban or allow travel with a guarantee.
Do I need a lawyer for a misdemeanour?
It is not always mandatory, but a lawyer can often secure a settlement, a reduced penalty or an acquittal, and protect your visa and record.
What happens if I miss a court hearing?
The court may judge you in absentia. For misdemeanours you can oppose an in-absentia judgment within 7 days of being notified.
How much does a criminal lawyer cost in Dubai?
It depends on the charge and the stage of the case. We quote after reviewing the file, usually by stage, and act immediately in urgent detention matters.